Mon, Aug 29, 2016 5:01 AM
Check V5C Registration Certificate when Buying a Used Vehicle
DVLA is warning motorists to check the V5C registration certificate when buying a used vehicle.
Motorists are advised not to purchase the vehicle, and instead report the matter to the police, if the serial number of a V5C registration certificate falls within the following ranges:
BG8229501 to BG9999030
BI2305501 to BI2800000
Motorists are also reminded not to proceed with any purchase if a V5C has no serial number, or looks to have been altered or tampered with, or the vehicle is accompanied by only a part of the V5C registration certificate
If a member of the public wishes to check if a serial number of a registration certificate is within
Information supplied by the DVLA.
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT).
How to notify DVLA if you buy a new or used vehicle
The seller will usually notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you have purchased your vehicle.
The way in which the vehicle is registered to you will depend if it is new or used, if a registration document or certificate is available or you may register it yourself.
If you buy a used vehicle – registration document or certificate available
The way in which the DVLA is notified that you have purchased your vehicle will depend on the registration document or certificate available.
TWO PART REGISTRATION DOCUMENT V5
You should be given the top half when you purchase the vehicle. You must tell DVLA as soon as you buy a used vehicle – do not wait until you need to re-license it. Tell DVLA by completing the back of the registration document.
THREE PART REGISTRATION DOCUMENT V5
The person selling the vehicle must complete ‘your details’ in the top (blue) section. Both you and the seller need to sign the declaration. It is the responsibility of the person selling the vehicle to send it in to DVLA. They should then hand you the V5/2 green section appropriately filled in. The DVLA must be notified as soon as the vehicle changes hands.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE V5C
The person selling the vehicle must complete section 6 ‘new keeper or new name/new address details’ of the V5C. Both you and the seller need to sign the declaration in section 8. It is the responsibility of the person selling the vehicle to send it in to DVLA. They should then hand you the V5C/2 green section appropriately filled in. The DVLA must be notified as soon as the vehicle changes hands.
If you buy a used vehicle – seller does not have a registration document or certificate
If the seller does not have a V5 registration document or V5C registration certificate, you should register the vehicle in your name by using form V62 ‘application for a registration certificate’. You can get one by download from the vehicle forms link below or from any Post Office® branch or a DVLA local office. DVLA will then send you a new registration certificate in your name.
What will happen next
DVLA will aim to deliver a registration certificate to you within two to four weeks of receiving the application. If you have applied on a V62 application form, this may take up to six weeks as special checks have to be made. Please allow six weeks for the registration certificate to be delivered before contacting the DVLA.
When you receive your new registration certificate
When you receive your registration certificate from DVLA, it is your responsibility to check that all the details are correct.
If you buy a brand new vehicle
The dealer will usually arrange for the vehicle to be registered for you.